Luis Suarez remains the centerpiece of an Inter Miami squad desperate to recapture the dominance they showed in 2025, and he’s unafraid to call out the hate online.
On September 16, Inter Miami will meet Cruz Azul in the 2026 Campeones Cup, pitting last year’s MLS champions against Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones. Fans are split on whether the match is a true trophy bout or a friendly showcase.
Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, Suarez dismissed the chatter, saying the team treats the game like a final and warns that social media will spin any result, whether win or loss, into a narrative about star players.
He noted that criticism follows goal tallies: score three and pundits praise MLS scoring ease; go quiet and the same voices label you a flop. In today’s climate, criticism sells, he added.
Compared with their record‑shattering 2025 season, Miami’s form has dipped, leaving them out of the Supporters’ Shield chase while they hunt their first 2026 trophy. Yet the Herons approach the midweek final with full intent.
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“We’re pros, treating tomorrow’s match as a final. It’s a major prize, and we earned it after winning MLS, while Cruz Azul earned theirs in Mexico. Both sides will treat it as a final and a great spectacle,” Suarez said.
Inter Miami are eyeing a chance to match the MLS tally in the competition.
Recent weeks have seen Miami endure three straight draws, part of a stretch with one win, four draws and two losses in seven games. Messi has contributed seven goals and four assists, Suarez two goals and one assist, as they aim to even the historic MLS record in the competition.
Since its 2018 debut, the Campeones Cup has seen seven editions, with Liga MX clubs winning four and MLS three. The 2025 edition at Dignity Health Sports Park saw Deportivo Toluca beat LA Galaxy 3‑2.
Campeones Cup history
- 2018: Tigres UANL 3‑1 Toronto FC.
- 2019: Atlanta United 3‑2 Club America.
- 2021: Columbus Crew 2‑0 Cruz Azul.
- 2022: New York City FC 2‑0 Atlas FC.
- 2023: Tigres UANL 0‑0 (4‑2) Los Angeles FC.
- 2024: Club América 1‑1 (5‑4) Columbus Crew.
- 2025: Deportivo Toluca 3‑2 LA Galaxy. Will MLS finally catch up?